FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS / INVESTOR RELATIONSWhile often underestimated, financial communication, along with investor and analyst relations, is one of the most powerful elements in a company's overall business and communications strategy, and more so than ever in the current volatile markets. Multi-faceted and highly focused, financial relations advisors work with top management to forcefully articulate a company's business, fiscal, and marketing strategy, corporate culture and competitive advantages.... creating impactful communications tools based on deep understanding of competing businesses, their products and market.... providing management with top-quality intelligence about he company's perception by the investment community.... and offering advice guided by a rigorous understanding of the regulations of several of the leading national securities markets. A carefully crafted investor relations strategy can help maintain a company's price-to-price earnings multiple at the top tier of its peer group, reduce volatility in the share price, and help to build long-term investment horizons with both institutional and individual shareholders. A rigorous approach to disclosure can help keep message focused, deal effectively with rumors, and discourage shareholder lawsuits.Effective IR allows the company to build a rich relationship with shareholders and investment professionals, while using top management's time efficiently. The more involved investors become in a company's unfolding story, the more confidence they will have in the company's prospects and growth strategies. And confidence translates into inbound financial strength.